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Next up: free agency

About 12 seconds after the final out was recorded in Game 5 of the World Series, officially ending the 2010 season, the Major League Baseball Players Association released the names of 142 players who had become free agents.

It should be noted that another 34 players, including left-hander Mark Hendrickson, could become free agents if their respective clubs decline to pick up their options. The Orioles will let Hendrickson test the waters.

I'm still processing how the Giants are world champions. Pitching really does matter. And finding the right parts - like Edgar Renteria, Juan Uribe, Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell - who were the wrong parts in other organizations.

Yes, the Orioles passed on Lincecum in the 2006 draft, taking Billy Rowell with the ninth pick and putting the Giants on the clock. That one continues to haunt them.

Probably haunts a few other teams, too.

The Orioles took catcher Matt Wieters fifth overall in 2007. The Giants chose pitcher Madison Bumgarner with the 10th pick. The Orioles took pitcher Brian Matusz with the fourth overall pick in 2008, and the Giants followed by selecting catcher Buster Posey.

You can't really argue with the Orioles' selections. And I'm sure the Giaints are quite happy with the ones they made.

Going back to 2002, the Orioles took pitcher Adam Loewen fourth overall, and they received high praise for the selection. The Giants grabbed pitcher Matt Cain with the 25th pick.

In 2004, the Orioles took Indiana University catcher Cody Wargo in the 27th round, making him the 799 overall pick. With the 820th selection, the Giants took pitcher Jonathan Sanchez.

The Giants lost 90 games two seasons ago. Now they're world champions.